FROM THE HEADMASTER
A Note on Checklists
Grades K-2 and specialists use skill-based checklists (1-4) rather than letter grades (A-F). There are fewer formal evaluations (e.g., written exams) for K-2 homeroom and K-5 specials. Rather, the teacher works alongside each child to ensure that they are making progress in each area. For this reason the emphasis is on growth and task independence rather than lots of hard alphanumeric scores. It is, therefore, very common to see lower numbers at the beginning of the year and higher numbers later in the year. This year, parents may see more skills marked “NA” (not applicable) than usual, particularly for our distance-learners. Please note the following changes:
 
  • Homeroom subjects (e.g. reading, math, etc.): Skills are difficult to assess remotely, and even for those students that have returned to in-person learning, teachers have had a narrow window to assess. If a particular skill is marked NA, the teacher has not yet covered this information or is not holding the child responsible for this particular skill at this time.
  • Specials (e.g., French, art, music, and PE): Distance-learners, will not receive a skills checklist for quarter one. The checklist assumes in-person instruction and we felt it was not fair to apply a number-grade to our scholars learning online. This same paradigm will hold true for the second quarter. Moreover, while distance learners will still be given assignments/video instruction in quarter 2, it is no longer mandatory to turn in finished assignments. (Though, the option still exists for any student needing extra motivation/accountability.) It is still important that distance learners stay current with their specials classes as they look toward their eventual return.  
SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Conference Week
Conference week will begin on Monday, October 19th and conclude on Thursday, October 22nd. All conferences will be held on Zoom. Parents will sign up for conferences using a Signup Genius link that homeroom teachers will email and post to their Google Classroom stream on Monday, October 12th. Conference week consists of four half-days (M-Th) with release times of 11:50 (K-2nd) 12:05 (3rd-5th) and 12:25 (prep siblings). Lunch will not be served on campus on half-days. Friday, October 23rd will be a 100% online day for all students. There is no school the following Monday, October 26th.A conference with your child’s homeroom teacher is mandatory. There are optional conferences available if you would like to meet with our team of specialists (art, music, French, and P.E.).

Quarter 1 Report Cards
Quarter 1 grades will be posted in PowerSchool by 1:00 pm on Friday, October 9th. New families will receive an email from the school with instructions on how to access your student's grade portal in PowerSchool. In order to view your child's grades, you will need to set up your account in PowerSchool. Returning families, use your log in and password from last year.

Read-a-thon
Mark your calendars for our seventh-annual Read-a-thon! This special day will be celebrated on Friday, October 30th. Students have the option to come to school dressed as their favorite classical literary character, scientist, or historical figure. Costumes need not come directly from the grade level curriculum, though they must be classically aligned. Additionally, costumes should allow students to engage in regular school day activities such as recess, lunch, and P.E., and shouldn’t impede their instruction. Violent images or weapons of any kind will not be permitted. Face coverings may not be present, aside from a mask that should be worn in class this year. (Costume proposal slips will be sent home the week of October 19th.) It is sure to be a full, fun day celebrating the beautiful enjoyment reading brings!

Scholastic Book Fair Online
We will not hold an on-site book fair for October’s Read-a-Thon. Instead, we are encouraging teachers to create an account with Scholastic online. From there, teachers can create wish lists, book recommendations, and more! Books can be shipped directly to students’ homes, and teachers will reap Scholastic rewards which means more books for their classroom libraries. Reach out to your child's teacher for their specific class code, or use the Archway Arete school code: XLJGP.

Volunteers Needed
Help Archway Arete prepare for our onsite learners for quarter 2. We need help assembling shields on Wednesday, October 7th from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. See this sign up to come for part or all of the time. Since the front office will be closed, go to the west side of campus and enter through the MPR.
In Person and Distance Learning
The deadline to switch from Distance Learning to In Person for quarter 2 has passed. Distance Learning families completed a survey to give their intent for quarter 2. As always, a student may move from In Person to Distance Learning at any time. The next opportunity to move from Distance Learning to In Person will be at quarter end. All DL families will receive another survey in December to give Archway Arete their intent for quarter 3.

All School Remote Learning Days
Archway Arete will have three remote learning days in the second quarter:  October 23rd, November 6, and December 11. All three are Fridays and the first two dates are half days. These are still officially school days and students will have work to complete remotely, but there will not be any in-person classes. Please note that there will be no live instruction or tutoring available.  
OUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION






As a community we have only met 72% of our funding needs this year, if you haven’t yet, please make or schedule your gift today Thank you to everyone who has already made a gift this year, we are so grateful. Click here to see more about why we fundraise.


PARENT SERVICE ORGANIZATION

October Teacher Appreciation Lunches
Join us in October as we show our staff what true Super Heros they really are! We will be serving them lunch Monday-Thursday, the week of Parent Teacher Conferences(October 19th-22nd). Find the link to donate items or contribute financially here. The cart will be available during drop off Monday the 19th as well as Wednesday the 21st. 

Teacher Snack Bar
We are all very aware of the many hours our wonderful teachers are pouring into serving their students. We would like to fuel them with a "snack bar" inside their lunch/break room! Find the snack items here. Please drop off items at the front desk.

October Lunch Volunteer Sign Up
Please sign up to volunteer in the lunchroom. As of right now the only volunteers allowed on campus are lunchroom volunteers, so if you want to see your students on campus, sign up! Submit this brief application to obtain volunteer clearance on campus. If you have any questions about volunteering please contact Tiffany Wright at 480-606-8590 or TiffanyWright@ArchwayAretePSO.org.
Athenaeum

Registration for the Athenaeum After-School Program for the 2020-21 school year is open!
Athenaeum is our after-school program for grades K-8 that is focused on the liberal arts and promotes learning by providing students dedicated homework time in addition to enriching and academically oriented activities. Scholars also have time for snack, games and recreation, and time to socialize with friends.
The Athenaeum After-School Program will resume September 1st for Kindergarten, September 2nd for K-5th, and September 3rd for grades 6-8th.
For more information and to register, visit our academy website and click on Academy LifeàAfter School Programs.
For questions, please contact our Campus Coordinator, Lory Sipel at Programs.Arete@GreatHeartsAZ.org.
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Archway Classical Academy - Arete
Melody Pati, Office Manager
Contact Us
 4525 East Baseline Road
Gilbert, AZ 85234

Phone:(480) 222-4233
Fax:(480) 222-4234